This page details the routes for Santa and some images from his adventures around Airdrie and Coatbridge.
In celebration of Airdrie & District Round Table’s (ADRT) 50th Year (2008), the Sleigh Route has been substantially increased to cover even more areas throughout Monklands. The Sleigh has been going for 30 of the 50 years it really is now firmly part of Monkland’s heritage! ADRT members are now noticing that the children of 30 years ago are bringing out their children to see this magical Christmas experience, which continues to spread Christmas cheer and of course the serious side of raising much needed funds for many local good causes, not forgetting bringing the touch of
‘I believe’ to Monklands.
Some of the friends & past / present members of ADRT have been helping Santa for 30 years and are all ready for what will surely be another successful year raising funds for our local community. Chairman Iain Jamieson and Vice Chairman Norbert Grant are ADRT’s longest serving members (over 20 years), and have been reminiscing on how Round Table Santa Sleigh has brought joy to many children and adults over the years. Norbert recalls how the sleigh used to have old house ‘hi-fi’ speakers now its all ‘Hi-tech’ MP3 players. Iain recalls the weather and how we all braved the elements - For all of Santa’s Helpers Iain would like to personally thank all these people who went out, got soaked & very cold on many occasions to raise money for lour local community, meaning that more groups & individuals benefit from the funds raised during Santa Sleigh.
The biggest change over the last 30yrs is the size of Airdrie & Coatbridge with all the houses being built, increasing the size of the routes. This increase has also seen the number of cars in the traditional estates being double parked leaving very little room for the sleigh to negotiate safely, which unfortunately means sometimes the Sleigh cannot access a certain route. Chairman Iain Jamieson, said, 'The Sleigh is in great demand all over Airdrie & Coatbridge and we are aiming to get round as many places as we can, however we are limited by the number of volunteers, the weather, road conditions, traffic & pedestrian concerns and the time available when we have Santa on his Sleigh – as he is a very busy man at this time of year! Santa will also strive to do as many ‘Drive Thrus’ as possible into areas that are not published in the programme throughout the route. To help Santa see as many children as he can, the sleigh will where possible, start at the end of the estates / streets and travel out towards the entrances giving a little bit of notice for the children to get their jackets on and come out and see Santa on the sleigh.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ABOUT SANTA IN 2008
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ABOUT SANTA IN 2009
For more information on previous years please visit the section on our old site, using the link below.
CLICK HERE
Santa with some of his helpers below:
